Allylix Inc. (San Diego, Calif.; www.allylix.com) announced today that it has begun production of valencene for the flavor and fragrance industry in large-scale commercial quantities, utilizing 200,000 liter fermentation tanks.
Valencene is an orange flavor and fragrance material, currently being used as a key element in beverage, confection and over-the-counter healthcare flavors, among other applications. Traditional methods of producing valencene involve extracting it from the peel of valencene oranges, meaning the cost and supply fluctuate depending on the yearly harvest. In the longterm, Allylix’s fermentation process offers a stable supply of valencene at a fifth or less of the cost of these traditional methods.
The biotechnology firm’s fermentation technology can be used to produce a variety of high value terpenes across different industries. Other applications include food ingredients, insect repellents, and other specialty chemicals.